Mount Mercy gets two anonymous gifts for athletic complex

Mount Mercy University has received two anonymous gifts totaling $400,000 in support of their new outdoor athletic complex.

Demolition of existing buildings at 909 17th Street Ne began in early April and is expected to wrap up in the next several weeks.

"We continue to make progress toward our phase I goal of raising $12 million for the athletic complex," Laurie Hamen, president of Mount Mercy University, said in a written statement. "The community is certainly rallying behind our project, and we look forward to the progress ahead."

"These gifts demonstrate the continued importance of what this project represents. While we're committed to our current and future students, we're also committed to advancing the opportunities for youth programming in the Cedar Rapids community," said Duff Ridgeway, vice president for development and alumni relations, in a written statement. "Since launching the Home Field Advantage fundraising campaign in August 2013, we have raised nearly $10 million toward our phase I goal."